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A 2-year-old-boy is in hospital after being mauled by a pitbull in Te Atatu South yesterday.
The toddler was taken to the Starship with severe facial injuries.
He suffered multiple fractures, including a broken jaw, after the family dog savaged him.
"The child has wandered into the dog's area and has been attacked, suffering quite serious injuries, and has been taken to the Starship hospital," Sergeant Brian Leslie of Henderson police told One News last night.
The pitbull was chained up in the backyard at the time.
The dog was taken away by Animal Control officers, and police are questioning family members about the incident.
The Waitakere City Council wants the dog put down.
The Government has been trying to control dangerous dog breeds by introducing compulsory microchipping after the infamous attack in 2003 on Carolina Anderson, 7, in an Auckland park.
Owners can be jailed or fined up to $20,000 for owning a dog involved in a serious attack.
